CONSTANT COMPANION

Judi Dench, 90, Opens Up About Vision Loss: ‘I Can’t See’

The Oscar-winning actress revealed in a new interview that she can go no longer leave her home without help.

Judi Dench opened up about losing her vision to macular degeneration, revealing that she doesn’t go out by herself anymore as to not “walk into something or fall over,” according to People. On an episode of Trinny Woodall’s Fearless podcast, the 90-year-old Oscar-winning actress said she’s regularly taken a companion to events because she’s “always nervous,” but now it’s become a necessity for her safety. “I’m not good at being on my own at all, nor would I be now,” she explained on the podcast, “And fortunately, I don’t have to now because I pretend to have no eyesight.” Dench first revealed the age-related condition that caused her vision loss in 2012, amid media speculation. “In response to the numerous articles in the media concerning my eye condition—macular degeneration—I do not wish for this to be overblown,” she said in a statement then, adding that the condition “will not lead to blindness.” For now, as the disease runs its course, Dench told Woodall, “Somebody will always be with me.”